Monday, November 14, 2011

The world is a playground

block building

Sabine turned 22 months today. Her room is filled with stimulating toys for the purpose of creating, moving, matching or building. Along with her books and stuffed animal friends, it would appear she has enough stuff to keep her going and entertained all day, every day.

threading beads

We do keep ourselves pretty busy - both in the apt and outside/in the world. But sometimes, ya just want to change it up.

There are, I discovered, some very cool websites (particularly blogs) providing inspiring ideas of new ways to stimulate and play with a toddler - and many of them are so basic and simple, that you just wouldn't really think of doing them. It is weird, but I think I can forget that toys (objects of discovery and/or fun) are seriously all around us.

Another thing is making sure that Sabine gets exposed to activities that I wouldn't necessarily be drawn to because I don't like it. Math for example. I am much more open to letters than numbers. Except for counting to 3 firmly when I am being all serious, I don't usually include numbers in our conversations.

All that said, there are incredible resources: books, magazines and websites overflowing with cool things to do with a young toddler. I recently got the book "I Can Do It" by Maja Pitamic. I really recommend this book. It is perhaps a bit more geared towards somewhat older kids - but not all of the activities. Also, it is good to get read her ideas and then tailoring them to your own kids' level. It is a Montessori book. The cover says it all, "Play and learn activities to help your child discover the world the Montessori way".

The chapters are: Life skills, developing the senses, language, numeracy and science. It is a full color book with large font making the reading of it pleasant and quick.

Recently
we did the "pouring"activity as suggested in the book. Sabine already knows how to pour water
from the bath. But this activity, something that I would likely not
have thought of, was absolutely enthralling for her.

We used dry black
eyed peas first and then incorporated quinoa. She was all into it,
doing her serious face and then looking up and flashing one of her
"aren't I cool?" looks.

She also enjoyed (not mentioned in the book,
but as I say - you can improvise once you get the basic idea) choosing
which measuring spoon to use and which cup. She basically changed up her tool about every 3 seconds.

Thanks for stopping by

Bonjour! This blog was started originally to be a bridge between my former life in Durham, NC and my new life in Spain. Well, we didn't move to Spain because they just smoke too damn much (seriously) and instead came to Paris, France. This worked out fine for hubster since he is French and returned to his native land of popped collars, blank stares and cheap wine. Then we had a baby. So, the Transition Kitchen continues to evolve. What was going to be all about us living it up in Spain is now about us living with baby in France.

This blog is about: whatever I damn well feel like posting that day. Photos of Sabine, Paris, food, travels, signs, oddities, people, flowers, whatever combined with hopefully witty commentary and thought-provoking notions. Fair warning, I am a left wing liberal and political things get me all riled up, so it will come to that too sometimes.

What I ask FROM YOU and yes, I do: PLEASE comment at least occasionally. It means a lot to me. While I do keep this blog for my own happiness purposes, it brings me even greater pleasure to know that there is something you enjoy here too. Feedback, praise, comments, additional information, links, criticism, suggestions, ideas, requests ALL WELCOME here. Merci!